MOVIE REVIEW: Imaginative 'Okja' gives viewers lots to chew on

The story of a young girl on a mission to save her pet pig - and what a pig it is - is smart, daring, lavish and packed with surprises.

By Al Alexander/For The Patriot Ledger

What a pleasure it is to bask in the inventiveness of Bong Joon-ho’s “Okja.” It’s everything you want a movie to be: smart, daring, lavish and packed with surprises. It’s funny, scrumptious in look and design, and best of all, it’s about something. Or, more specifically, about many things, from the vital human connection with nature to viciously satirizing multi-national corporations who lie, cheat and deceive the public in the name of the Almighty profit. And the performances! Oh, my God, are they terrific, particularly Tilda Swinton, the star of Bong’s 2014 masterpiece, “Snowpiercer.” She chews scenery like a dissident after a 60-day hunger strike. Even better, there is two of her; playing Koch brother-like siblings intent on forcing their will on the people of the world. The “nicer” of the sisters, Lucy Mirando, is the brains behind her corporation’s new “eco-friendly” solution to solving the world’s hunger problems. Like a hammy Steve Jobs in platinum wig and gleaming dental braces, she descends from high above into her cavernous New York City factory with all the fanfare of a Katy Perry concert, cheered on by the hundreds of media and ravenous stockholders gathered for her “big” announcement about the company’s 10-year plan to revolutionize meat packing.

And what is this panacea? Why, none other than the “super pig,” a genetically mutated sus that grows to the size of a hippopotamus. It’s Lucy’s plan to distribute 26 of these prototype hogs to each of the 26 nations where Mirando Corp. conducts operations. The lucky farmer who receives one will feed and nurture each pig until the ugly, yet adorable, beasts reach full size in 10 years’ time. In Bong’s native South Korea, that recipient is a kindly, but tetched, mountain man who lives with his orphaned granddaughter, Mija (charismatic Seo-hyeon Ahn), who – when we meet her 10 years hence – has fallen in love with the puppy-like critter, rendered through incredibly life-like FX genetics.

She and Okja frolic in the nearby waterfall, romp through woods and snuggle up and sleep together. It’s Shangri La – until the dreaded arrival of the Mirando gang, led by chief spokesperson, Dr. Johnny Wilcox (manic Jake Gyllenhaal turned up to 11), a Marlon Perkins type who sold his soul to Lucy. They cart Okja off, and one of the wildest chases I’ve seen in years ensues, as Mija travels the world fighting to get her beloved pet back before he ends up as some family’s dinner. Aiding her in this quest is a bumbling PETA-like militant group led by a bizzaro Paul Dano (excellent) and abetted by the pretty – and pretty feisty – Red (Lily Collins) and the hunky Blond (Daniel Henshall).

This all happens in the film’s first half hour or so! And there’s still another 75 sad, joyous and edge-of-your-seat thrilling minutes to go. I can’t even begin to describe it. You just need to see it, which you can, starting today on Netflix. Yes, Netflix! It’s the new frontier for innovative filmmakers like Bong who’ve had enough of studios diluting their dreams. As you’d expect, he pushes the boundaries in every frame, occasionally going too far, as is the case with Gyllenhaal’s shameless overacting in a get up – topped by a pith helmet – that recalls Groucho Marx in “Animal Crackers.” But even when Bong goes wacko, it’s no less fascinating to behold his artistry, which is enhanced by Darius Khondji’s gorgeous cinematography, and elaborate, kitschy set designs by Ha-jun Lee and Kevin Thompson.

There are also a few awkward tonal shifts, as “Okja” abruptly veers from slapstick to pathos to high comedy to biting satire – all in the same scene. Also be prepared to shed a lot of tears, because some of the scenes near the end are graphic and brutal. They’re also eye-opening about the dangers of GMOs and corporate greed, making the miraculous “Okja” more than just another pig in a poke. OKJA (Not rated.) Cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Lily Collins and Seo-hyeon Ahn. In Korean and English with English subtitles. Streaming on Netflix. Grade: B+